13 August 08
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NEWS - EVENTS - TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES - TTNQ APPLAUDS ACHEIVEMENTS - ON THE MOVE - SEEN IN THE MEDIA - GOOD NEWS STORIES |
NEWS
US SCHOOL CHILDREN GET THEIR HANDS DIRTY IN CAIRNS
Some of America’s future adventure travellers received a first-hand lesson in taking care of the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns local school children in July as 15 American children and their parents visited the Hambledon State School. The children met Hambledon State School children and participated in the school's Reef Guardian Schools program, an initiative of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. The program encourages students to participate in hands-on activities such as taking care of the school native gardens, recycling and waste reduction which benefit the environment and in particular the Great Barrier Reef.
The children were in Tropical North Queensland for the week as part of a National Geographic Kids Challenge competition run jointly by Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Tourism Queensland, Tourism Australia and National Geographic.
More information on the adventures of the National Geographic Kids' can be found on kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com.
BTA BONANZA
BTA has broken the $120k worth of business for the month of July, with over 1100 room nights booked for the month. This represents a 10% increase on last month’s $110k in total bookings. With the AOT channel now online we are seeing a steady increase in Supply Partner commissions. Product Providers failing to update their product availability and seasonal information result in the VIC’s inability to book additional product through the system.
For more information on how to involve your business with BTA, please contact Derek Tottle at Derek.tottle@tnq.org.au
DOMESTIC CAMPAIGN IN MARKET NOW!
Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Tourism Queensland have launched an exciting campaign with Qantas Holidays to increase visitors to the region during the months of September and October. Primarily targeting the family market in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the campaign features 30 TTNQ members.
The campaign provides strong trade coverage and utilisation of Qantas Holidays communication channels which are available exclusively through the Qantas network and to their partners.
Consumers are directed to a dedicated Qantas Holidays Specials page: www.qantas.com/holidays/TNQ and a Qantas Holidays 12 14 15 hotline will feature TNQ products.
The campaign is supported with printed collateral, advertisements in leading Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane newspaper weekend holiday sections, online and a radio promotion on Sydney’s 2DAY FM.
A NEW NAME FOR AN ICONIC TROPICAL TABLELANDS ECO-RETREAT
The Canopy Rainforest Treehouses and Wildlife Sanctuary is the new name for the unique accommodation and wildlife experience previously known as Fur ‘n’ Feathers Rainforest Treehouses. The six purpose-designed luxury timber and glass treehouses, perched high in the rainforest canopy on the banks of the Ithaca River, have been Far North Queensland’s best kept secret for 10 years.
Set in 100 acres of ancient rainforest and strictly for the private use of guests, The Canopy blends award winning luxury accommodation with a passionate regard for environmental and wildlife principles.
For more information, go to www.canopytreehouses.com.au
RESEARCH FACT SHEETS
We are delighted to publish a collection of user friendly fact sheets highlighting the themes being researched under the $4 million funding provided by the Commonwealth government to develop “world-class public good research”, that utilises the collaborate efforts of the best Australian tropical environmental researchers.
The structure of the four themes is:
Theme 1: Status of the Ecosystems
Theme 2: Risks and Threats to the Ecosystems
Theme 3: Halting and Reversing the Decline of Water Quality
Theme 4: Sustainable Use and Management of Natural Resources
You are invited to review the fact sheets which offer a very comprehensive explanation of the critical research being undertaken under each theme. Reports are regularly uploaded to the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre’s website (who administer the MTSRF funds). Click here – www.rrrc.org.au
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EVENTS
TNQ BECOMES A REGGAETOWN
Australia’s premier Roots Reggae event, Reggaetown Festival, introduces a new brand of groove when it takes place as part of Festival Cairns on Saturday 6 September 2008 at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. This year’s event features the sweet and saucy rhythms and harmonies of New Zealand’s stand out Reggae ambassadors, Katchafire , the Mana Maori Music Men. For information, www.festivalcairns.com.au
FAUXART
Based on successful overseas art market model, the “fauxboh” artist market has been developed by the Cairns Regional Council to help connect the local artistic community and also to provide a direct link between artists and the community.
“fauxboh” artist market takes place every Sunday between 12pm – 6pm on the beautiful tree lined pathway between the Lagoon and the Lagoon/Pier car park. It is an informal setting with artists taking the opportunity to continue with works in progress or sketch the passers-by.
For further details contact Simone Roseler, CRC on 40 443015
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OPPORTUNITIES
JCU SYMPOSIUM
JCU's Centre for Tropical Tourism and Hospitality is extending an invitation to its upcoming Symposium: Chaos to Clarity -- the role of small to medium-sized tourism firms in a mature market. Delegates will therefore have immediate access to expert advice, commentary and cutting edge research findings from keynote speakers drawn from private and public sectors.
For further information and registration, please refer to the attached brochure or email us at symposium@jcu.edu.au
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SEMINAR
Focused on improving productivity in the Tourism sector, the Cairns ICT Factor will include an address by the Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, and local member, Hon Desley Boyle MP, an information seminar with some of Queensland's key industry players in web-based booking systems and ICT innovation in tourism enterprises, as well as a mini trade exhibition and networking event.
For more information, contact Julie McEnerny - 0407 556 189.
REGIONAL INFORMATION UPDATES
To check out what has happened in Tropical North Queensland, regional updates are now available on the TQ website. Click here for the lastest regional updated on TNQ at YE2007, published by TQ: Tropical North Queensland Regional Update
QANTAS TO CONDUCT NATIONAL SERIES OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SEMINARS
Qantas will host a series of free Sustainable Tourism seminars for tourism operators around Australia in October 2008. These free seminars, which compliment the recently announce Qantas Award for Excellence, will provide practical information and hands-on training for those in the industry to adopt environmentally conscious and sustainable business practices.”
Dates for the free one-day seminars are:
Brisbane – Wednesday 1 October;
Cairns – Thursday 2 October
Click here for further information, or email qss@qantas.com.au.
PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY SPECIALS/OFFERS
TTNQ now have a section on their Corporate website which allows members to promote their industry specials/offers. If you would like to advertise on the site please email all details in a PDF document with all conditions and validity dates to Niaomi McSwiney at Niaomi.mcswiney@tnq.org.au
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TTNQ APPLAUDS ACHIEVEMENTS
Congratulations to:
- RESTAURANT & CATERING INDUSTRY 2008 WINNERS FOR TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND
One hundred and fifty restaurant and catering industry representatives, friends and family gathered at the Cairns International Hotel to hear the announcement of the winners and finalists of the 2008 Restaurant and Catering Queensland HOSTPLUS Far North Queensland Awards for Excellence.
TNQ is home to 14 establishments who were presented with winners’ plaques and will compete at the State level announced at the State Awards Night to be held at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane on Monday 15th September.
TTNQ Members who were honoured during the night:
- Winner Best Fine Dining Restaurant Tamarind Restaurant, The Sofitel Reef Casino
- Finalist Best Themed Restaurant Buckin' Mex Mexican Restaurant
- Finalist Best Seafood Restaurant 2 Fish Restaurant Port Douglas
- State Finalist Best Chinese Restaurant Café China
- Finalist Best Fine Dining Restaurant The Reef House Restaurant
- State Finalist Best Hotel/Motel Restaurant The Lakes Cairns Resort & Spa
- Finalist Best Modern Australian Restaurant Angsana Resort & Spa
- Finalist Best Modern Australian Restaurant Ochre Restaurant
- Finalist Best Wedding Caterer Angsana Resort & Spa
- Winner Best European Restaurant C'est Bon French Restaurant
- Winner Restaurant of the Year Tamarind Restaurant, The Sofitel Reef Casino
- Best Themed Restaurant and Best Specialty Restaurant, Bayleaf Balinese Restaurant
More information can be found on www.rcqevents.org.au - INAUGURAL HOUSEKEEPER AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The Lakes Cairns Resort and Spa’s executive housekeeper, Jean Lapthorne received the ultimate accolade of “Housekeeping Trophy of Excellence” while the resort’s housekeeping supervisor, Sue Affleck, was delighted to take home the “Rising Star Award” at the inaugural Housekeeper Awards held 25 July at the Cairns Colonial Club Resort. Completing the winning line up was Annie Shannon from Sebel Harbourlights who won the “Judges Encouragement Award”.
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GOOD NEWS STORIES
“Mathew and I would just like to write to thank you so much for your generosity when we stayed in Tropical North Queensland last week. Everyone was so welcoming, from reception and restaurant staff to tour operators and the locals who were always happy to help. What a piece of paradise you have there!
“Being able to travel to Tropical North Queensland after winning the TTNQ Total Travel contest and share part of what you have up there, is something we will remember for a very long time. We even had the added bonus of sighting a cassowary on the side of the road one evening just on sunset!
“We look forward to perhaps being able to return in the not too distant future.”
With much appreciation,
Mathew and Della Poppins
Wodonga, NSW
PASSENGERS HAVE A WHALE OF A GOOD TIME!
Sunlover Reef Cruises passengers, who thought they were going to see, snorkel and dive on the Great Barrier Reef, where happily surprised when their trip doubled up as a Whale watching encounter. Troy Mayne, the on board photographer for Calypso Productions, snapped these impressive shots of the whales as they displayed very close to awestruck passengers.
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